Carroll 4X800 Wins State

Bloomington (incnow.tv)- Hamilton Southeastern claimed its first IHSAA Boys Track and Field State Championship Friday at Indiana University’s Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex. The Royals, coached by Joe Golden, accumulated 65 points to runner-up Lafayette Jefferson’s 49 points.

The Royals were paced by senior Ryan Davis who claimed an individual title in the 400 meter dash. Senior teammate Troy Reader contributed a valuable 10 points to the team tally by snagging the 1600 meter run with a winning time of 4:07.26. Zach Reitzug, also a senior, and junior Jacob Wright finished 2-4 in the 300 hurdles, while the 4x400 meter relay team of Reitzug, Joshua Christy (12), Davis, and Wright sealed the victory with a first place finish to end the night.

The quartet of seniors (Eric Claxton, Kyle Gater, Alexander Hess, Jonathan Harper) from Carroll (Fort Wayne) kicked off the meet with a first place finish in the 4x800, defending their title from 2012. The Chargers clocked in at 7:40.14.

Bowman Academy’s Marsalis Gibson earned the first track state title for both himself and his school after his first place finish in the 110 hurdles, crossing the line at 14.19.

Team runner-up Lafayette Jefferson picked up the majority of its points thanks to its sprinters. In the 200 meter dash, seniors Carl McQuay (21.73) and Lucas Wallace (21.81) concluded their careers by finishing 1-2 in the event. Junior Matthew Johnson added the 100 meter crown in 10.74 and the Broncho sprinters took home the 4x100 relay (McQuay, Johnson, Darian Green, Wallace), coming in at 41.41.

It was a night for first-time champions in the field events; Eric Blackman, a senior at Evansville Harrison captured his first state championship in high jump (6-8). Eastern (Greentown) senior Grant Cole out jumped the field in the long jump, with a mark 23-5.25. In the throwing events, junior Lukayus McNeil (Decatur Central) was victorious in the shot put with a throw of 61-6 and the discus title went to senior Codie Hamsley (Floyd Central) after his toss of 194-0.